Pay by state / North Carolina
NC · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in North Carolina
North Carolina's 6,690 dental hygienists earned a mean of $93,640 in May 2025, 5% below the US mean and number 27 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $207,550 (+8% against the US), and orthodontists $277,320. Dental assistants earned $51,510.
- 1Dental hygienists $93,640
- 2General dentists $207,550
- 3Orthodontists $277,320
- 4Dental assistants $51,510
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | NC mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 160 | 0.032 | $277,320 | $259,400 | +7% |
| General dentists | 4,140 | 0.837 | $207,550 | $191,350 | +8% |
| Dental hygienists | 6,690 | 1.354 | $93,640 | $98,990 | -5% |
| Dental assistants | 11,450 | 2.317 | $51,510 | $50,200 | +3% |
How North Carolina ranks
- Orthodontists: number 10 of 19 published states for mean pay ($277,320, median $224,990), with 0.032 per 1,000 jobs.
- General dentists: number 12 of 47 published states for mean pay ($207,550, median $207,000), with 0.837 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 27 of 50 published states for mean pay ($93,640, median $97,850), with 1.354 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 16 of 50 published states for mean pay ($51,510, median $50,380), with 2.317 per 1,000 jobs.
North Carolina and the South Atlantic division
Among the 9 South Atlantic jurisdictions with published figures, North Carolina ranks 5 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $97,850 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| South Atlantic | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $100,660 | – | $47,520 |
| District of Columbia | $127,910 | – | $63,360 |
| Florida | $88,320 | $195,930 | $48,500 |
| Georgia | $91,220 | $214,040 | $46,870 |
| Maryland | $109,090 | $185,740 | $50,720 |
| North Carolina | $93,640 | $207,550 | $51,510 |
| South Carolina | $84,980 | $181,570 | $47,310 |
| Virginia | $105,120 | $197,820 | $47,490 |
| West Virginia | $71,290 | $200,640 | $41,280 |
Staffing in North Carolina
There are 1.6 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in North Carolina, close to the national ratio of about 1.8. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $145,150 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in North Carolina.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in North Carolina earn 7% more than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.